Marijuana Policy Project

FAIRBORN — Drug and alcohol use is down among Dayton-area students but remains a serious problem, a new survey conducted by Wright State University researchers shows.

The 2008 Dayton Area Drug Survey of more than 17,000 mostly white, suburban students found that alcohol remains the most widely used drug.

About 71 percent of 12th graders reported having tried alcohol, down from 73 percent in 2006 and a high of 88.5 percent in 1992.

More than half, or 54 percent, have been drunk at least once, and 27.2 percent had five or more drinks in a row during the two weeks before the survey earlier this year.

Among 9th graders, about 46 percent have tried alcohol, down from 52 percent in 2006 and a high of 75 percent in 1992. Nearly a fourth have been drunk, and 9 percent had five or more drinks in a row in the two weeks prior to the survey.

As for cigarette use, about 40 percent of high school seniors reported any use, down from 43 percent in 2006. Similar decreases occurred among 9th and 7th graders.

"Teenagers' use of alcohol and tobacco is significant, because it can result in a variety of serious and lasting health and social consequences," said Russel Falck, assistant professor of community health and associate director of the Center for Interventions, Treatment, and Addictions Research at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. "In addition, tobacco and alcohol are 'gateway drugs,' whose use can lead to abuse of other drugs."

The survey showed 44.3 percent of students have used an illicit drug at least once by the 12th grade, including 39.4 percent who have tried marijuana or hashish, a slight decline from 2006.

Experience with other illicit drugs by 12th graders varied, with decreases in the percentage who have tried cocaine, crack and methamphetamine, and slight increases for prescription opiates or tranquilizers, MDMA (ecstasy) and heroin.

The survey also covered behaviors and attitudes aside from drug use. Some 89 percent of students currently consider themselves happy or very happy with their lives.

The 2008 survey consisted of a voluntary, anonymous questionnaire completed by 17,315 students from 7th to 12th grade in 17 Dayton area school districts. Roughly 83 percent of the respondents identified themselves as white suburban residents. The group included nearly equal numbers of boys and girls.

First administered in 1990, the survey is conducted every other year in collaboration with Unified Health Solutions and area school districts.